Happiness Self Test

Here are the results of your quiz:
Answers that correlate with happiness are marked with a , while answers that show some happiness hinderance have a next to them.

1 This May Hinder Happiness... Do you have at least a few supportive friends you can rely on?

a) Yes, I know that in good times and in bad, I have true friends who will support me.
b) Not really. I have people in my life, but nobody I can really count on to listen when I'm upset and share in my best moments.
You could be happier in this area of your life.The answer better correlates with happiness is "a". Friends add a wonderful dimension to our lives: they halp us celebrate the good times, and they help us make it through the tough times. Having a strong, supportive social network has been associated with lower levels of stress, increased longevity, and greater levels of happiness. Learn more about the value of social support, and find resources for developing a stronger network, with these relationship articles. ( Learn More )


2 This May Hinder Happiness... Do you have personal goals for yourself, and live a life that reflects your values and spiritual beliefs?

a) Yes, I live a very well-examined life. I have some general goals and try to live my life according to my personal and spiritual beliefs.
b) I know I’m not living my ideal life, and I don’t have a clear strategy to better incorporate my personal and spiritual values into my everyday life. I just do what I have do to get through the day.
You could be happier in this area of your life.The answer better correlates with happiness is "a". Having goals and living a life that’s in tune with your values and core spiritual beliefs is one important aspect of happiness; conversely, living a life that doesn’t include these things can be a source of stress for many people, and is often a reflection of a life that’s stretched to the limit and stressful already. Fortunately, there are several ways to get in touch with what’s important to you, to set goals for your life, and to start making steps toward a lifestyle that’s more in tune with what’s really important to you. The following resources can help you better understand this process, and help you through it. ( Learn More )


3 Good For You! Do you consistently learn new things, expand your skill set, and increase your knowledge base?

a) Yes, I learn something new every day, or at least I feel I'm regularly developing new skills.
b) Rarely. I learn new things and develop myself at times, but I do feel stagnant in my personal growth. Life seems to have gotten in the way.
Good For You! The answer that correlates better with happines is "a". ( more info )


4 This May Hinder Happiness... Do you like what you do?

a) Yes, it fulfills me. Occasionally I get bored or frustrated with it, but usually enjoy what I do.
b) Not enough. I do it because it's necessary, but don't always love it, and it causes me significant stress.
You could be happier in this area of your life.The answer better correlates with happiness is "a". Whether you work on Wall Street or stay home and raise children, the ‘work’ of your life has a significant impact on your identity, your happiness and your stress level. The following work stress and job satisfaction resources can help you determine what you can change to better enjoy the work of your life. ( Learn More )


5 This May Hinder Happiness... Does your home environment stress or soothe you?

a) My home is definitely my haven. It’s generally clean, organized, and relaxing.
b) I’m actually more stressed at home. I look around and see clutter and piles of things that need to be done, and feel on edge.
You could be happier in this area of your life.The answer better correlates with happiness is "a". A cluttered environment can cost you in energy, time and even money, whereas a clean, organized home can soothe you and provide a haven from stress, backdrop for fun with friends and family, and a place to feel safe and at peace. To better understand the link between your outer world and your inner world, I have the following resources. ( Learn More )


6 Good For You! How would you rate your self-esteem?

a) My self-esteem is doing okay. I believe in my abilities, forgive myself easily, and genuinely like who I am. I only occasionally suffer self-doubt or feel bad about past mistakes, and generally pull out of it easily.
b) I know my self esteem could be higher; I don’t believe in myself enough, compare myself to others, and beat myself up over past mistakes at times.
Good For You! The answer that correlates better with happines is "a". ( more info )


7 Good For You! Are you part of a church, support group, club, or other group that provides you with a sense of community?

a) Yes, I have at least one group of peers that provides me with a sense of belonging and community on a regular basis.
b) No, I don’t really have any type of group with which I feel I belong; I don’t even work at an office with a strong sense of community.
Good For You! The answer that correlates better with happines is "a". ( more info )


8 This May Hinder Happiness... Do you regularly help others and feel the positive difference you make in the world?

a) Yes, I volunteer time or money to charity, or I practice acts of kindness often with those I love.
b) I'm sometimes able to help others, but I wish I were doing more.
You could be happier in this area of your life.The answer better correlates with happiness is "a". Helping others brings good feelings to the giver and the receiver of the good deeds. Using your special gifts to help others can be a gift to yourself as you enjoy a self esteem boost for making others’ lives better, and make the world a better place. The following articles can give you ideas and resources for how to create a life that includes more helping others, even if you're very busy. ( Learn More )


9 This May Hinder Happiness... Are you happy with the role children play in your life?

a) Yes.
b) No.
You could be happier in this area of your life.The answer better correlates with happiness is "a". The role children play in our lives can strongly impact our happiness level, and our stress levels as well. The following resources can help you to live more in harmony with the children in your life, and even get more in touch with your own inner child. ( Learn More )


10 Good For You! Do you have any hobbies or activities that you get to do on a regular basis that are just for fun?

a) Yes, I actively pursue several different interests, or deeply pursue one. When I'm low on time, I still dabble.
b) Occasionally I’ll do something just for fun, but I don’t get to ‘play’ much in my life anymore, unless you count t.v.
Good For You! The answer that correlates better with happines is "a". ( more info )


11 This May Hinder Happiness... Do you know and like your neighbors?

a) Yes. I know several of the people who live near me, and often stop and chat.
b) Not really. We’re always so busy, we may give a quick hello, but I don’t know many names of people who live near me.
You could be happier in this area of your life.The answer better correlates with happiness is "a". Do you live in a neighborhood where you feel save and conneted to others, or do you feel overcrowded, threatened, and otherwise unsafe in your surroundings? This, and other aspects of neighborhood life, can impact both your level of happiness and stress. While you may not be able to change the neighborhood in which you live, you can change the experience you have in your own neighborhood by getting more involved with those around you and taking pride in the area in which you live. The follwing are some resources that can help you to feel more at home in your neighborhood. ( Learn More )


12 This May Hinder Happiness... Are you able to express your creativity on a regular basis?

a) Yes, I have plenty of opportunities to express and expand my creativity in my daily life.
b) My life is pretty lacking in creative expression.
You could be happier in this area of your life.The answer better correlates with happiness is "a". For most people, expressing creativity is a strong component to happiness, and can be a key stress reliever. Whether creating something artistic, expanding your imagination, or finding unique solutions to problems, exercising your creative muscles can help you enjoy life more, relieve stress and better develop the part of your brain that can help you find novel solutions to problems in your life: your creative side. The following resources can help you to express and develop your creativity. ( Learn More )


13 This May Hinder Happiness... Are you comfortable with your financial situation?

a) Yes, I’m generally financially secure, mostly live within my means, and rarely stress about money.
b) Not really. My money situation is pretty uncomfortable, and I stress about it pretty regularly.
You could be happier in this area of your life.The answer better correlates with happiness is "a". If you stress about money, you’re not alone: a significant amount of Americans are deeply in debt, living beyond their means, don’t have a clear plan to solve their financial problems, and stress about it quite a bit. The fear, stress and conflict associated with money issues can also impact your personal happiness. The following money resources can help you to create a plan for yourself to get out of debt, if necessary, make your money go further, and plan for your future. When money is less of an issue, rather than being enslaved by it, you can use it to do the things that make you truly happy. ( Learn More )


14 This May Hinder Happiness... Do you feel you have enough love in your life?

a) Yes.
b) No.
You could be happier in this area of your life.The answer better correlates with happiness is "a". We all instinctively know the value of love and its impact on our personal happiness and stress level. Whether you’re lookoing to find the right person, or seeking the skills required to keep a relationship healthy, the payoff to your efforts is more than worth the energy you put in. The following resources can help you to find the right person for you, and maintain a happy, healthy relationship that can help increase happiness and decrease stress in your life (rather than the other way around). ( Learn More )


15 This May Hinder Happiness... Are you satisfied with your relationship with your family?

a) Yes. While no relatives are perfect, we’re close, supportive and we love each other.
b) No. My family relationships aren’t supportive, or actually cause significant stress.
You could be happier in this area of your life.The answer better correlates with happiness is "a". A connection to family provides a certain type of social support that you can’t get from other people. Unfortunately, these relationships are complex and can sometimes be conflicted. If you would like to feel more connected to your family, the following resources can help for a variety of family structures. ( Learn More )


16 Good For You! How would you rate your overall health?

a) I'm generally healthy.
b) I get sick more than I think I should. I'm not completely satisfied with my health.
Good For You! The answer that correlates better with happines is "a". ( more info )


Your Score: It appears that 5 answers out of 16 questions, or 31 percent of your answers show lifestyle features that promote happiness. If there are areas of your life that you would like to change in order to promote increased happiness, there are resources (above) corresponding to each question on the test.


It looks like your lifestyle may be seriously impeding your level of happiness. The good news is that there are many changes you could make to bring more happiness and life satisfaction. The resources below can help.